Polaris Mid Clear W/black Fade on 2040-parts.com

Volvo confirms big production increase for V60 Plug-in Hybrid

Volvo has been building around 150 V60 Plug-ins a week at its facility in Torslanda – alongside the regular V60, V70, S80 and XC90 – but that is now set to be upped to 282 cars a week for the rest of 2013, with plans to build at least 10,000 in 2014. The fact is that the V60 is a very appealing estate car already, and bolting a plug-in hybrid setup has turned it in to a big hit in showrooms because the barking mad official economy and emissions system bestows the V60 plug-in with emissions of just 48g/km, making it a real no-brainer in countries where governments blindly tax cars based on their official emissions. That means countries like Holland, where Volvo has received more than 3,000 orders for the V60 Plug-in, and the UK are lapping up the hybrid offering from Volvo as a way to escape big taxes and still have a swift (0-62mph in 6.1 seconds), appealing and stylish car.

GM signs deal to sell Hummer to Chinese company

General Motors Co. has inked a deal to sell its premium off-road brand Hummer to a Chinese industrial company. GM said on Friday that it has a definitive agreement with Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co.

Uwe Gemballa missing in South Africa

Uwe Gemballa Update 16/2/2010: We’re now hearing reports that the Gemballa business has been closed down by German authorities. The name Uwe Gemballa might not immediately strike a chord. Unless you’re a complete petrol-head the creations of Uwe and his eponymous company may have passed you by.